2011 Nissan Pathfinder: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Ball joint3.5× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  20.5% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 3.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.7× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  13.4% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Track rod ends2.6× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  12.1% All 2011 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Chassis rust or damage9.3× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  7.4% All 2011 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Brake lights2.3× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  9.3% All 2011 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 3.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2011 Nissan Pathfinder MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Nissan Pathfinder MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  27% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  26% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?